Coin control mechanism for vending machines



Sept. 13, 1932. HELLER 1,876,671

COIN CONTROL MECHANISM FOR VENDING MACHINES Filed March 23. 1951 5 Sheets-Sheet l gmmtom Sept. 13,- 1932. HELLER 1,876,671

COIN CONTROL MECHANISM FOR VENDING MACHINES Filed March 23, 1951 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 gmmmtot John mmezzm Sept. 13, 1932. J. A. HELLER 1,876,671

'COIN common MECHANISM FOR VENDING MACHINES Filed March 23, 1951 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Sept. 13, 1932 i JOHN Ag inrnnnhiorl CART AGE; MISSOURI corn V'CIFONTROL MECHANISM non "VENDING MACHINES Applicatibmfiltdla'rch 23, 1931.1 Serial No. 524,726.

This invention relates to certain :n W and useful improvements ineoin control mecha-,, nismfor Vending machines. i

The primary obi'ect ofthe invention is to '5 provide a. coin control mechanism for Wend ing machines or apparatus Oiifltll} -;oharacter described in application vfiled'by John A. Heller on March-.23, 1931, "Serial ;N.umher 524,725, and in whichit is .required that a coin bedeposited to effect releaseof the op-v erating mechanism for the idispensing ofanarticle. 7 1 V A further object of theiinventioniis-to prd vide coin control mechanism-for vending machines wherein an: operating plunger for the vendingmechanism is restrainedrfrom operation until a .coin of they-proper I denomination is inserted in the'coin :control mechanism which includes a magnet for the. extraction of a magnetic :plugand also a coin ejector for-a slug having a central opening therein, such as a meta'llicwasher A still further objeottof-the invention is to provide coin control mechanism ior vend diameter relative-to a coin of ;proper gdenomination for the operation of the mechanism, either-plus or minusas-little as.-.002inch or more will be ineffective in the releaseof the mechanism for the operation-of the vending apparatus.

With the aboveandotherohjectssin view f line 11111:of Figure 7 that will become apparentas the xnature-o the invention is better understood, the :same consists in the novel form, combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter more fully described, shownin the accompanying-drawings andclaimed. n In the drawings I i Figure 1 is a'detail sectional view showing a mounting plate'for the coin eontrol mechanism of a vending machine -;with the manually shiftable rod for operating the, vending mechanism, the manually i shiftable rod being shownat its limit ofinwardmovemoved to 1ts limit of outward movement;

r ing machines whereina slugthat is ofisizein "Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view :taken Figure 3 is a fragmentaryelevational view of a part of the rod with a latch lever engaged therewith, showing :the :rod [in partially withdrawn position;

Figure 4.:is aidetail elevational view,'-'si-milar to Figure 3, showing the shiitable rod in-itsi partially projected position; s Figure 5is a fragmentary elevationalvie-w, partly'in-seotion, showing a coin by dotted lines,-at the point of entering the mechanism,- a coin illustrated by sfull lines in p.0- sition to'permit operation of the coin -control mechanism and a third coin illustrated byfull lines, restrained by a itemporarysstop;

- .Figure6: is a fragmentary elevational view, partly in section, similar to Figure :5, showingthe operating rod in its shifted position for theoperation of the vending :mechanism, the vsecond coin released from its point of restandithethird coin restrained by theztent. porary stop discharged sfor reception inl'a 0 collection hox;

V Figure 7 isa top plan view of :a manually shiftable rod for operating the vending mechanism;

Figure 18 is a perspective view .of-the lock arm controlling the operation of the 'manually shiftable "rod V 3 'izFig-ure 9 is va cross-sectional view :taken on :line 9. 9 of Figure 7;;

on lineElO-elO of Figure Figure 11 is a .cross-sectional'vicw takencon the direction of travelof magnetic slugs;

-Figure 13 is an edge .elevational view of the coin control'mechanism showing the manually shiftable rod projecting through;

iFigure 14 is a rear elevational view of the-mechanism shown in Figure 12,-:better:to illgstrate the tensioned .lock :arm for the re v ;F igure is a detail view showing the Yom plunger and coin ejector with v a" ,coin illustrated 'nssection with thejlatt'er disposed [for operation'by the plunger;

Figure16is a detail view showing the plunger moved into engagement with the coin;

Figure 17 is a detail view showing the ejector engaged in the center opening of a slug; and

Figure 18 shows the ejector'engaged with the bottom wall of the slug opening with the plunger spaced from the slug.

The coin control mechanism disclosed herein being primarily intended for association with the dispensing apparatus for" bottled beverages described in application filed by John A. Heller andco-pending herewith, it is intended that the mounting plate for the coin control mechanism as shown in Figures 1 and 4, may represent a front wall 1 of a refrigerant casing. A manually shiftable plunger rod comprising sections and 650 with an intermediate annularly reduced portion 2 is slidable through the casing wall 1, being guided in a sleeve 3 projecting outwardly of the casing wall, the outer end of the rod section 65a being provided with a handle to facilitate operation thereof. The sleeve 3 is carried-by a frame at the inner side of the casing wall 1 and said frame, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, comprises a pair of spaced parallel walls 4 and 5 connected by a head block 6 from which a bracket 7 rojects and upon the outer end of which brac 'et a latch dog 8 is pivotally mounted as at 9. The inner end section 65 of the manually shiftable rod is provided with a cross opening 10 from which a pin 64 shown in Figure 7 projects for engagement with the vending mechanism within the casing.

The manually shiftable rod as shown in Figures 1 to 4 and 7, has a shoulder 11 at the end of the section 65 adjacent the annularly reduced portion 2, while the upper side of the rod section 65 adjacent the shoulder 11 is provided with a series of ratchet notches 12 and a pocket 13 at the inner end of the ratchet notches. One side of the shaft section 65a is vertically cut away at an angle to provide a side recess 14 having inclined side walls 15 forming cam surfaces for purposes presently to appear. When the rod is entirely projected into the casing, the ratchet dog 8 is directed toward the annularly re duced portion 2 of the rod and is spaced therefrom to permit outward movement of the rod as illustrated in'Figure 3, the ratchet dog 8 moving over the ratchet notches 12 and'being engaged therewith as illustrated in Figure 3, necessitating full retraction or a pull uponthe operating rod to position the ratchet dog 8 in the pocket 13 as shown in Figure 2, and at which time the operating rod may be returned or projected into. the casing with the dog 8 ratcheting over the notches 12 as shown in Figure 4, it being necessary that the rod .be completely projectedinto the casing beforethe'same can again be retracted.

ream

A look arm that is coin controlled in its operation is associated with the manually shiftable rod, the same being shown in detail in Figure 8, the lock arm 16 having a transversely extending arcuate slot 17 therein to facilitate pivotal mounting upon the wall 4 by the screw pin 18, the upper end of the through of the rod section 65, the opening 19 therein received on the operating rod and being of a diameter to permit passage therethrough of the rod section 65, the opening 19 in the lock arm normally surrounding the annularly reduced portion 2 of the chair whilesaid lock arm is moved on its pivot 18 under influence of the spring 20 for positioning the opening 19 out of alinement with the shoulder 11 on one end of the rod section 65 to prevent movement of the rod section 65 through the lock lever opening, this offset position being clearly shown in Figure 14. A cylindrical block 21 projects laterally from the lower end of the lock arm 16 in a direction toward the frame wall 5 and an abutment shoulder 22 is formed at the outer end of the block 21 to be engaged by a coin for moving the lock arm on its pivot 18 to aline the opening 19 in the upper end thereof with the shoulder 11 and rod section 65 to permit passage of the rod section through the lock arm opening, scribed.

' A plunger'blade 23 is vertically slidable within the frame, being guided in its movement through a slot 24 provided in the frame wall 5, the upper end of the plunger blade'23 being bevelled as at 25 and adapted to enter the cut-away portion 14 in the rod section 65a for engagement with the adjacent cam wall or surface 15 as shown in Figure l. A coin ejector 26 pivotally depends from the lower edge of the plunger blade 23 as at 27 adjacent the casing wall 1, it being noted from an'inspection of Figures 1 and 2 that the frame wall 5 is spaced from the casing wall 1 providing a passageway for a coin. A coin stop 28 in the form of a plate has an angle finger 29 at its upper end supported on the bottom wall of the guide slot 24 in the wall 5 for the plunger blade 23, the bottom wall of the slot 24 being inclined as at 30 to permit free pivotal movement of the stop 28, the lower end of the stop carrying an angle arm 31 normally positioned beneath the lower end of the wall 5 to close the lower end of the passageway 32 for a coin.

A coin is inserted through an opening in the casing wall 1 and travels in a downward direction over an inclined magnet 34 and should said coin be'a magnetic slug, or a slug possessing -magnetic attractions, the same will follow the magnet 34 and be discharged from the apparatus as shown at 35 in Figure 12. If the'coin is of the proper denomination, the same will travel downwardly through the coin passage 32 as indicated by this operation to be later dedottedline positions 36 and 37r in Figure 12 and temporarily cupy the pos tion shown ati39. Theloclr arm 16lS slightly shifted on its pivot 18 when the coin moves into T. engagement therewith shown at 39 and said coin in this. position is directly beneath theplunger blade 23. operating rod is thenashii't 7 5, rotation thereof being prevented byv a key enteringthe longitudinal key way 40 in the side of the rod section65, the cams'urface 15 forming an end wall ofthe cut away portion l i working uponthe inclined upper edge 25 of theplunger blade for lowering. the same against the tension ,ofone end of the spring 20 as shown in E1gurev6, the plunger blade,

23 shiftingthe coin from the temporarysupport on the abutment 38 and abutmentshoulder 2:2 and in-the lockarm with the shoulder 11 ofthe rod section 65, permitting complete retraction of the operating .rod, to the position shown in Figure 2. During downward move:

ment of the plunger blade 23, the same is enpassing through the passageway, from the position tl. In the event of a slug being intlie exact diameter of the proper denomination ofco n for working the apparatus, the lock arm 16 will be shifteda too'greater or too lesser distance to position the opening 19,

therein for the passageof the rod section 65. In the event of a slug being ntroduced into the machine, such as a metallic washer. of

non-magnetic metal, but of the exact di a-uneterlof-a co n of proper denonnnatlomthe washerslug'will occupy theposition shown.

at 39 in Figure 5 and the ejector 26Iwhich movesover a side face of a coin ofproper denomination vwill engage in the center open-v ring 44 of the washer slugA5 asshown'in.

Figure 17. By operatinglthe rod byfthe' handle 7 5, the plunger bladej23 is.v lowered and is engaged with ithjebotto m side of they 0138111I1g- 4c4.2LS shown in Figure 18,. always keeping, the washer slug 45f spaced from the plunger .blade 23, .such (movement causing f aligning of the ,openingul9 invthenlocklarml wit-lithe shoulder. 11 upon the rod, section but: as soon as the washerslug .has been, carbrought, to rest, by, ,contact with the. abutment shoulderj 22onjthe block a 21 carried the locklarm 1 6 and an ab, 1'1t-,., 111ent38- shown in Figures 5-,. 6 and 1 2'toioc,

The

I the mechanislm ed bythehandle; v

ad pivoted on" thepreferred correctly aligning the opening 19:

5 is permitted to escape as at 43 in a coin box or the like the coin stop28 gravitationally closing for catching and retaining the next coin v 1 the arm, openlng for moving he c atesto shift thelock arm l 6 and displace the.

p i iain t qka i hes seem therefore prevents; operation of the coin e h nism. a d mer P rticu rly th p ating rodlwhe n apertu eq Slug is inserted.

From the ,alOQ

ye v detailedl'description V of t. is believed that, the construction and operation thereof in conjunc tio l Wlth vending apparatus will at once be understood, 'it being noted that the guard arm deylces associated therewith for causing l the arm to-drop to the dotted line position shown inFiguredto overlie the coin receiving open ing when the druin with which the particular coin opening is associated, is empty and "while there s herein. shown and described enibodi nento'fthe invention, it I be understood that l minor is,,nevertheless to the frame asat 4 7 has'suitable changes, maybe made therein without depart" ing from the spirit and scope ofthe invention as claimed. i i i I clainr:' 1.111 coincontrol mechanism ofthecharfor operating vending m-echanisinfsaid rod hav ng a reducedportion defining a. shtulder on the rod, a plvoted lock arm having an acter described, a manually reciprocable rod 7 opening therein receivedon the reduced por tionofthe shaft andnormally positioned to place'the rod shoulder out'of alinement with the arm providing a temporaryflsupport for a coin inserted mechanism, and means operated the 'rod and shifting the lock arm "to aline the arm controlling .operati on thereof, coin moving means operatedby thej rod for moving'the I he 4 d, e. in mQ i g. mean 'ns i ng a slidahle plunger having a bevelled. upper e sed. wit the p ge ve ri psm e the plunger duringreciprocation of the rod.

3, In coin control mechanism of the charg WW1 .dQSQli Qd; 11M1 1a ys i a v r d a ?v operating vending mechanism, a com controlled lock arm associated with the rod for cont olling operation thereof, means assed ed. w th h d e e s t in emp et oin through the mechanism,

h s h r -l acter described, a manually shiftable rod for we th ii 7 opening with'therodshoulder to permit rep troduced 1nto the mechanism that'is not of v lockarm to position to permit movement of end and saidrOdhaving a cut away portion;

' te h hth eV l d f-fi P nge iSi, received, and a cam wall for. the recess fenmovements in eitherv direction befo rethe canbe reversed in movement, coin moving seasepemte vg h r d or wa es k arm to Praises, eirsrmit pi'sii sa i 1 of the rod, thecoin moving means" including a slidable lunger having a bevelledu'pper end and said rocl having a cut away portion into which the bevelled end of the plunger is received, and a cam Wall for the recess engaged with theplunger bevel for operating the plunger during reciprocation ofthe rod.

4. In coin control mechanism of the character described, a manually reciproeable rod for operating vending mechanism, said rod having a reduced portion defining a shoulder 011 the rod, a pivoted lock arm having an opening therein received on the reduced portion of the shaft and normally positioned to. place the rod shoulder-out of alinement with the arm opening, the arm providing a temporary support for a coin inserted in the mechanism, means operated by the rod for moving the coin through the mechanism, and shifting the lock arm to aline the arm opening with the rod shoulder to permit reciprocating movement of the rod, the coin moving means including a slidable plunger having a cut away portion into which the bevelled end of the plunger is received, and a cam wall for the recess engaged with the plunger bevel for operating the plunger during reciprocation of the rod.

5. In coin control mechanism of the character described, a manually shiftable rod for operating vending mechanism, a coin controlled lock arm associated with the rod for controlling operation thereof, coin moving means operated by the rod for moving the lock arm to position to permit movement of the rod, the coin moving means including a slidable plunger having a'bevelled upper end .and said rod having a cut away portion into -which the bevelled end of the plunger is received, a cam wall for the recess engaged with the plunger bevel for operating the plunger during reciprocation of the rod, and a coin ejector pivot-ally depending from the slidable plunger for holding an apertured slug in advance of the plunger.

6. In coin control mechanism of the character described, a manually shiftable rod for operating vending mechanism, a coin conitrolled lock arm associated with the rod for iwhich the bevelled end of the plunger is re ceived, a cam wall for the recess engaged with the plunger bevel for operating the plunger during reciprocation of the rod, and

a coin ejector pivotally depending from the slidable plunger for holding an apertured slug in advance of the plunger.

7 In coin control mechanism of the character described, a manually reciprocable rod for operating vending mechanism, said rod having a reduced portion defining a shoulder on the rod, a pivoted lock arm having an opening therein received on the reduced portion of the shaft and normally positioned to place the rod shoulder out of alinement with the arm opening, the arm providing a temporary support for a coin inserted in the mechanism, means operated by the rod for moving the coin through the mechanism, and shifting the lock arm to aline the arm opening with the rod shoulder to permit re ciprocatin movement of the rod, the coin moving means including a slidable plunger having a cut away portion into which the bevelled end of the plunger is received, a cam wall for the recess engaged with the plunger bevel for operating the plunger during reciprocationof the rod, and a coin ejector pivotally depending from the slidable plunger for holding an apertured slug in advance of the plunger.

8. In coin control mechanism of the character described, a manually shiftable rod for operating vending mechanism, a coin controlled lock arm associated with the rod for controlling operation thereof, coin moving means operated by the rod for moving the lock arm to position to permit movement of the rod, the coin moving means including a slidable plunger having a bevelled upper end and said rod having a cut away portion into which the bevelled end of the plunger is received, a cam wall for the recess engaged with the plunger bevel for operating the plunger during reciprocation of the rod, a coin ejector pivotally depending from the slidable plunger for holding an apertured slug in advance of the plunger, and a spring engaged with the lock arm for moving the same to a position to prevent movement of the rod after a 'coin has passed in contact with the rod.

9. In coin control mechanism of the character described, a manually shiftable rod for operating vending mechanism, a coin controlled lock arm associated with the rod for controlling operation thereof, means associated with the rod necessitating complete movements in either directionebefore the rod can be reversedv inmovement, coin moving means operated by the rod for moving the lock arm in position to permit movement of the rod, the coin moving means including a slidable plunger having a bevelled upper end and said rod having a cut away portion into which the bevelled end of the plunger is received, a cam wall for the recess engaged with the plunger bevel for operating the plunger during reciprocation of the rod, a coin ejector pivotally depending from the slidable plunger for holding an apertured slug in advance of the plunger, and a spring engaged with the lock arm for moving the same to a position to prevent movement of the rod after a coin has passed in contact with the rod.

10. In coin control mechanism of the character described, a manually reciprocable rod for operating vending mechanism, said rod having a reduced portion definlng a shoulder on the rod, a pivoted lock arm having an opening therein received on the reduced portion of the shaft andnormally positioned to place the rod-shoulder out of alinement with the arm opening, the arm providing a temporary support for a coin inserted in the 7 mechanism, means operated by the rod for 7 moving the coin through the mechanism, and shifting the lock arm to aline the arm opening with the rod shoulder to permit reciprocating movement of the rod, the coin moving means including a slidable plunger having a cut away portion into which the bevelled end of the plunger is received, a cam wall for the recess engaged with the plunger bevel for operating the plunger during-reciprocation of the rod, a coin ejector pivotally depending from the slidable plunger for holding an apertured slug in advance of the plunger, and a spring engaged with the lock arm for moving the same to a position a to prevent movement of the rod after a coin has passed in contact with the rod.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

JOHN A. HELLER. 

